Robert Leider Named ATF Assistant Director And Chief Counsel March 21, 2025 Robert Leider, Associate Professor at Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University, has taken over as the ATF’s Assistant Director and Chief Counsel. This comes less than a month after the Trump administration issued walking papers to Pamela Hicks and showed her the door. The timing of the move couldn’t be better, as gun owners are losing patience with the process while watching other issues precede the Second Amendment and holdover idiots like U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson stating that suppressors fall outside the constitutional right to bear arms. Notably, Attorney General Pam Bondi has become somewhat of a polarizing figure, as her history on gun rights is not sterling, and she is past due with her report regarding the President’s executive order on the Second Amendment. AG Bondi and President Trump, however, have indicated a new leaf on the subject, and regardless of the snags we’ve experienced, it is tempting to see appointments like Kash Patel to ATF Director and hires like Robert Leider as incremental steps in the right direction. So, who is Rober Leider, and why should his new position within the ATF inspire a glimmer of hope for gun owners? Leider has earned his fair share of education with an undergraduate degree from George Washington University, a PhD from Georgetown, his J.D. from Yale, and he has clerked for the United States Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. While this sounds impressive, it may also sound like he is well-versed in swamp culture, so we must examine his personal history to answer this question. As Washington Gun Law President and legal expert William Kirk points out, Leider is “well on record as a public author of being a staunch, staunch supporter of the Second Amendment.” In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Kirk talks about a late 2024 journal written by Leider entitled Analysis: Gun-Rights Advocates Would Benefit More From ATF Reform Than the Agency’s Elimination. This is an important issue as many gun owners, me included, have become understandably jaded by the agency and may not be seeing the forest through the trees on the matter. “These people were targeting gun owners– not going to happen under this administration. And we’re looking to hire really great people,” said Pam Bondi. This is a people problem, and as hard as it may be to hear, after years of abuse inflicted upon the Second Amendment community, a reformed ATF can serve Americans in a manner consistent with the Constitution. The agency can make defending our inalienable rights their number one priority. While I admit this is still a dream, I’d concede its possibility. I would invite an ATF that ceased all criminalization of Constitutionally protected activities and turned its focus to investigating and prosecuting violations of our rights federally, state by state, and municipality by municipality. To this effect, Robert Leider has an extensive written record of his duty to and reverence for the United States Constitution and the Second Amendment. I encourage reading his written work, including the following suggested entries, if knowing him better interests you. The Individual Right To Bear Arms For Common Defense The General Right to Bear Arms The Modern Militia Legal experts and pro-Second Amendment organizations like Gun Owners of America have responded to the announcement with excitement, not only for Leider but also for AG Pam Bondi’s decision to bring him aboard. Could this signal a more complex chess game being played at the highest levels as pieces are moved into place one by one, with the goal being to restore the Second Amendment? Maybe, but only time will tell. My reluctance to pop corks, however, comes from knowing that while these measures may be effective at stopping some of the bleeding, we will need Congress to right laws previously put in place that violate the Constitution, a task outside the unilateral authority of a regulatory agency. Coming to that point is a much steeper climb for the Second Amendment community, and setting up assurances that the same rights will not be violated again with political ebb and flow is a challenge. If I were in charge of meeting that challenge head-on, hiring someone like Robert Leider might be at the top of my to-do list. He is now in a position to make a difference, not only in ongoing ATF litigation but also in future actions against those who remain in defiance of American gun rights. So, don’t perceive my reluctance to raise the roof negatively. Understand it as well-tempered optimism while we remind leaders of their commitments and the loyalty and reward that accompany kept promises.
GOA Suing ATF Over Gag Order On Secret Surveillance Documents Mark Chesnut With no action on the topic more than two months into the Trump Administration, Gun Owners of America (GOA) has announced it has filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) over a gag order placed on its attorneys in the matter of secret surveillance documents gained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. GOA filed the action on March 12, a year and a half after a protective order was placed on GOA lawyers to not release the information, which the gun-rights group says is still pertinent today. According to a report at ammoland.com, the order was issued after GOA filed a 2021 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking “records about a secret government surveillance program which unlawfully and unconstitutionally monitors and records the firearm purchases of American citizens who are perfectly eligible to purchase and possess firearms.” The ATF eventually gave the documents to GOA, then tried to force the group to return all the documents and destroy any copies made of them. When GOA refused, ATF asked the court for a protective order to keep the organization from releasing the documents. Since that order has been in effect, GOA has not released the documents, but now is asking the court to allow it to release the papers. “Relying on the asserted ‘implied power’ of courts ‘to issue a temporary protective order for inadvertently produced FOIA materials,’ this Court granted Defendant’s requests, issuing first an order to ‘sequester’ and subsequently a protective order that ‘plaintiffs and their counsel’ ‘shall sequester’ and ‘shall not disseminate, disclose, or use for any purpose those records or the content of those records,’” the brief states. “Thus, for the past 17 months, Plaintiffs—members of the press—have been prohibited from printing the news, while Plaintiffs’ lawyers have been prohibited from communicating with their clients, advocating for their clients’ interests, or even accessing portions of their own attorney work product.” As GOA also pointed out in their brief, if the documents were classified, they still would not be entitled to a “sweeping protective order.” Only portions of the papers affecting national security would be eligible for protection via a protective order. Ultimately, it’s a shame that GOA must continue fighting in court a questionable decision resulting from President Joe Biden’s weaponized ATF now that the new administration is in place. With the change of administration, ATF should back off of all such actions but seems to be reluctant to do so. In fact, earlier this month we reported how Biden holdovers at the ATF are attempting to stall litigation on the ATF’s “engaged in the business” Final Rule by filing a motion asking for a stay. In response, GOA, Gun Owners Foundation (GOF) and the states of Texas, Louisiana, Utah and Mississippi filed an opposition to the DOJ’s motion, arguing that a stay in the ruling could harm gun owners across the nation. Lately, some in the gun-rights community have been questioning the Trump Administration’s dedication to protecting the right to keep and bear arms in light of Trump only addressing guns once, in an executive order, in his first two months in office. In that order, he instructed new Attorney General Pam Bondi to “examine all orders, regulations, guidance, plans, international agreements, and other actions of executive departments and agencies (agencies) to assess any ongoing infringements of the Second Amendment rights.” The deadline for that report passed last week and at the time of this writing, Bondi still had not submitted a report.
Orlando Man Indicted For Unlawful Possession Of A Machinegun Conversion Device Thursday, March 27, 2025 U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida Says FFL and Firearms instructor Gregg Kielma...Don't do it....save your family and possible your life from incarceration...Please don't ask me for anything illegal... Please, you will leave me no choice other than to contact the ATF. Please do not put me as a legal FFL who goes by the rules in this position..... Orlando, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Jaquarius McDonald (24, Orlando) with unlawful possession of a machinegun conversion device. If convicted, McDonald faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on January 1, 2025, McDonald knowingly possessed a machinegun which was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orlando Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kaley Austin-Aronson. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Updated March 27, 2025
Vicksburg Man Convicted of Falsifying Firearms Documents, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Obstruction of Justice Friday, March 28, 2025 U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Mississippi JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI – A federal jury convicted Zaid Khalaf, 42, of Vicksburg, Mississippi, a former Federal Firearms Licensee (“FFL”) on Thursday, March 27, 2025, for two counts of falsifying records, two counts of aggravated identity theft, and one count of obstruction of justice. The convictions followed a two-day trial. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Khalaf was a Federal Firearms Licensee at a gun shop in Vicksburg, Mississippi since 2022. On April 24, 2024, an ATF firearms compliance inspection found that Khalaf falsified multiple firearms transaction records. Khalaf used the identities including social security numbers of two of his previous customers to forge firearm transaction records in their names. Khalaf presented the forged documents to the ATF investigator during the inspection. It is against federal law to falsify ATF records and to use the identities and private information of citizens without their consent. Khalaf is no longer a Federal Firearms Licensee. Khalaf is scheduled to be sentenced on July 22 and faces a mandatory minimum of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft consecutive with any other term of imprisonment imposed. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Acting U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Lemon of the Southern District of Mississippi; and Special Agent in Charge Joshua Jackson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives made the announcement. Updated March 28, 2025
BRADENTON — After five years on the run, Demetrius Gabriel was convicted of first-degree murder for a 2017 shooting at Spot 26 nightclub off Cortez Rd. in Bradenton. The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse March 24-26. He was sentenced to Life in prison without parole. For reasons that are still unknown, the defendant waited near the front door for the victim to enter. He stood near the front door, watching for some time, and when the victim started to enter, he drew a gun from his waistband, walked up to the victim, and shot him in the face. After the victim fell to the floor, the defendant walked calmly out of the club, still holding the murder weapon. Most of the incident was captured on surveillance video, but the identity of the shooter was still unknown. Ultimately, police were able to identify a possible suspect but needed to confirm his identity through fingerprints that Gabriel left on a cup he was drinking from at the bar. An arrest warrant was issued, but the defendant remained on the run for nearly 5 years while using another identity. Gabriel was ultimately found after he was arrested in Miami on unrelated charges for using this false identity. The defendant was released from Federal prison less than 2 years before this shooting and was still on probation at the time.The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.
Thunderguards Motorcycle Club Member Sentenced For Trafficking Firearms Thursday, March 13, 2025 U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Delaware WILMINGTON, Del. – Shannon T. Hanson, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that Robert Dorsey, 47, of New Jersey, was sentenced on March 11, 2025, to 46 months incarceration for trafficking firearms. U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews pronounced the sentence. According to court documents, between September and October 2023, Dorsey sold a total of four firearms during three separate transactions to a law enforcement informant in New Jersey and Delaware. The firearms included a privately made firearm (PMF), known commonly as a “ghost gun”, as well as a firearm that had been stolen from Maryland just a month before Dorsey sold it to the informant on the black market. Additionally, Dorsey had reason to believe one of the firearms he sold would be used in a violent crime. Further, Dorsey sold the informant crack cocaine and heroin on over five occasions, sometimes selling both drugs and a gun as part of the same transaction. Dorsey was the self-proclaimed vice president of a Thunderguards Motorcycle Club chapter, known as the “North Pole”, in Wilmington, DE. During the investigation Dorsey referred to his role as a “one-percenter” or active member of the Thunderguards, told individuals about his role and chapter affiliations with the Thunderguards, and in fact, other members of the Club were present with Dorsey during the last firearm sale to the informant in Delaware. Acting U.S. Attorney Hanson, said, “Trafficking firearms, especially PMFs and stolen guns, is a serious threat to public safety. Illegally trafficking guns provide individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearm with ready access to deadly weapons. I commend the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for disrupting the unlawful trafficking of firearms in the New Jersey and Delaware region. I want to thank ATF, Delaware State Police, and our local law enforcement partners for their thorough investigation.” This investigation is an example of ATF’s dedication to working with our state, local and federal partners in identifying, pursuing, and investigating violent offenders who illegally possess or utilize firearms to commit violent crimes, and those who engage in the unlawful trafficking of firearms. ATF is proud and honored to have such a great working relationship with these outstanding law enforcement organizations and these results demonstrate how the partnerships between our agencies work to protect our communities and hold criminals accountable,” stated Special Agent in Charge LC Cheeks Jr., ATF Newark Field Division. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with assistance from the Delaware State Police, New Jersey State Police, and Pennsville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel S. Frey prosecuted the case. A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Delaware. Related court documents and information is located on the website of the District Court for the District of Delaware or on PACER by searching for Case No. 23-CR-91-RGA. Updated March 13, 2025
Federal Firearms Licensee Sentenced to Prison for Selling Firearms “Off-The-Books” Friday, March 14, 2025 U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida MIAMI – A Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) was sentenced on March 13 in a federal court in Fort Pierce for selling firearms “off-the-books.” Michael John Pellicione, 76, of Port St. Lucie, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge K. Michael Moore to 15 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release and a $7,500 fine. In December 2024, Pellicione pleaded guilty to five counts of failure of a firearms dealer to keep proper record of a sale, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Sections 922(b)(5) and 914(a)(1)(D). Pellicione was charged with a criminal complaint in September 2024 and was subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury in October 2024. According to allegations contained in court documents, including a Stipulation of Facts, filed in this matter, Pellicione, was an FFL, dba Mike’s Gun Shop, out of his residence in Port St. Lucie. In April 2024, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents discovered that firearms, linked to sales by Pellicione, were recovered in Canada and Jamaica. After an investigation, ATF determined that Pellicione failed to enter at least six firearms, sold by a law enforcement officer, into his acquisition and disposition (A&D) record. Pellicione admitted that when customers dropped their used firearms off to him, he took pictures of the firearms and then sent them to other interested customers. Pellicione also admitted that he repeatedly failed to log the used firearms in his A&D book, did not conduct a background check, or require the buyer to fill ATF Forms 4473 for the firearms. In failing to do so, Pellicione also failed to record the name, age, and address of purchasers as required by law. Federal law requires an FFL to record, in the A&D book, all the firearms that the FFL receives or makes, and then indicate where each of those firearms are – whether they are still in the FFL’s inventory or where they went if they were sold or transferred. Additionally, the A&D book must include the type of firearm, the make, model, caliber, and serial number, the date and from whom the firearm was received and that person’s address, as well as the name, date, and address of the person to whom the firearm was sold or transferred. U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, Acting Special Agent in Charge José R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Miami and Acting Special Agent in Charge John F. Dion Jr. of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, made the announcement. HSI Fort Pierce and ATF Fort Pierce Field Office investigated this case. Managing Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Lineberger prosecuted the case. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case number 24-cr-14055.
New Orleans Man Sentenced For Possession of a Machinegun Friday, March 14, 2025 U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Louisiana shane.jones@usdoj.gov NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that XAVION WATTS, age 22, formerly a resident of New Orleans, was sentenced on March 12, 2025 by United States District Judge Lance M. Africk to the statutory maximum of 120 months imprisonment, after previously pleading guilty to Possession of a Machinegun, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(o). Judge Africk ordered WATTS placed on supervised release for three (3) years following his release from imprisonment and pay a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. Court documents reveal that NOPD officers were on patrol on October 29, 2022, in the French Quarter when they saw a firearm in WATTS‘s waistband as he walked down Bourbon Street. As officers approached WATTS, he fled on foot but was caught and arrested shortly thereafter. During the arrest, officers recovered a Glock Model 17, nine-millimeter handgun with a fully automatic switch and extended magazine, containing 21 rounds and one in the chamber, from WATTS. The fully automatic switch converted the Glock into a fully automatic machine gun. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Acting United States Attorney Simpson praised work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Orleans Police Department in this case. Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Miller of the Narcotics Unit handled the prosecution. Contact Shane M. Jones Public Information Officer United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Louisiana United States Department of Justice Updated March 14, 2025
Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty To Possessing A Machinegun Tuesday, March 11, 2025 U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida Jacksonville, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces that Andres Felipe Mejia (19, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to possessing a machinegun. Mejia faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentence date has not yet been scheduled. According to court documents, on August 13, 2024, undercover agents with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives met Mejia to purchase a “switch.” The “switch” Mejia sold was a machinegun conversion device designed to convert a semiautomatic Glock pistol into a fully automatic machinegun. During the sale, Mejia explained to the undercover agents how to use the switch and offered to sell them more in the future. This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Falzetta. This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. Updated March 11, 2025
ATF NEWS: Rifle Theft - 4473 Problems - Who’s Is Accountable? TTAG Contributor - March 10, 2025 Lee Williams When Paul Szabo purchased the Shooter’s Emporium in 2020, which is located just a short 45-minute drive north of Indianapolis, he got some “bad vibes” from an employee whom he later terminated. Szabo’s fears were quickly confirmed. An in-house audit revealed that a brand-new Ruger American Rimfire rifle worth about $350 was missing, and evidence led directly to the former employee. “I gave him the opportunity to return the rifle. He told us to f— off, so we called the police,” Szabo told the Second Amendment Foundation. Just a few days later, in July 2022, Szabo also submitted a report to the ATF. Six months later, the suspect was arrested for the state crimes of theft and forgery: 35-43-4-2(a)/F5: Theft-Use when property stolen is a firearm, and 35-43-5-2(b)(4)/F6: Forgery-Def, w/intent to defraud, makes/utters written instrument. Now, nearly three years later, Szabo has been waiting for a trial date that never comes, and the suspect was hired by a competing gun shop, where he’s been very busy. “He hacked all of our social media accounts. He hacked our special-order accounts. We started losing customers to the other dealer, who denied he ever worked there,” Szabo said. “The next thing that happened is the prosecuting attorney sent me an email and had me look at a document. It was a 4473 for the rifle in question, filled out, completed and signed and stamped by another local FFL. It had a different name that signed the 4473 for the rifle, which has been sitting in the police department’s lockup.” Szabo is livid that the case remains in state court rather than federal court being prosecuted by the ATF. “We just sent off another letter to the ATF asking how can I have a 4473 from a different gun shop. We’ve got more people involved – another FFL. Why don’t we have a federal case?” he asked. “It’s been three years. The local prosecutor pretty much doesn’t contact me at all. I really have a bad feeling about this.” Szabo has no idea why the ATF isn’t prosecuting the case. “I don’t know why they’re not charging him federally, especially with a falsified 4473 for a gun that’s sitting in Kokomo’s police department,” he said. “The trial has been scheduled but then moved six to eight times in the three years that this has been going on.” The next trial date has been scheduled for late April. Takeaways Calls and emails to ATF’s national media inquiries line were not answered or returned, which is not a surprise. The ATF has only responded once to calls stemming from more than a hundred Second Amendment Foundation stories. Szabo’s case should have been investigated solely by the ATF. The suspect should be facing federal – not state – charges. The ATF would be more competent at dealing with a fraudulent Form 4473 than any Kokomo Police detective, because legally it’s not their area of concern. It’s a federal crime, after all, or at least it should be. So, why did the ATF take a pass on this case, which occurred right during the middle of Joe Biden’s presidency? At least that question can be answered: It wasn’t big enough. Szabo’s problems were allegedly caused by a former gun shop employee, who wasn’t the shop owner. There was no way ATF could strut in, close down another gun shop and force the owner to turn over all their guns, so they didn’t take the case. That much is easy to prove. Instead, the ATF told the local police to pursue the case, even though they lack the proper training and resources. Besides, at the time, the ATF was busy trying to show Biden and other Democrats that they were more than capable of doing their job and tackling the big cases, even though most of these went bad very quickly. Just ask Russell Fincher, Mark Manley or Brian Malinowski’s widow if you need more information about how the ATF really works. The Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project wouldn’t be possible without you. Click here to make a tax-deductible donation to support pro-gun stories like this.
